Game apparatus



H. v. ATKINSON 1,994,936

GANE APPARATUS Filed May 8, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 /I Home y /l/lll lllllllTl March 19, 1935.

Bymdom H. v. ATKINSON 1,994,936

' GAIE APPARATUS Filed lay 8, 1934 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIAHHIIHIHHNlhun-Ilnihlllzhll" "hun IIHIIMJII-Ufllln" H "lllll 'Ill Il Ill lll.. I'

.JL/ff Inventor fag/z Z/.Qt/aswz/ q By @am @dan f1 Homey March 19, 1935.

March 19, 1935. H v ATKlNSON y' 1,994,936

GAME APPARATUS Filed May a, 1954 4 sheets-sheet 3 Inventor March 19, 1935. H' V. ATK|NSON A 1,994,936

GAME APPARATUS I Filed May 8, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 nucnlor flllomey Pawnee Mar. 19, 193s UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1,994,936 v f v GAME APPARATUS Hugh V. Atkinson, Bracketville, Tex. Almlfmami May-8, 1934, serial No. 724,584

aolaims. 101.*273-121) This invention relates to a novel and improved game apparatus of the4 type embodying an appropriately markedor charted projectile or ball receptive enclosure and manually controlledrmechanical means for forcibly projecting the balls into said eld or enclosure.

Structures of this type are used for domestic amusement and enjoyment and frequently Vare employed in recreational and pleasure resorts for amusing pastimes. Y .Y i g By way of introduction, I desire to point out v that I am already aware of the fact that the prior art to which' the invention relates is, active and well developed and that it is, therefore, my primary aim to generally improve upon known structures of a similar type by providing a comparativelynovel and distinguishable apparatus characterized by features of surpassing merit calculated to .promote absorbing pastime, Aparticularly to persons conversant with results obtainable from conventional playingy cards. j

In perfecting the apparatus, I have carefully selected and arranged the details in such order and relationship as to permit the participants to resort to contesting skill in order to; obtain winning hands. A

Referring now to the accompanying illustrative drawings wherein corresponding numerals designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is atop plan view of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a similar view with the glass cover plate removed to expose the structural details located therebeneath.

Figure 3. is a view similar to Figure 2, parts being in section showing sufcient of the details eliminated to expose essential parts.

Figure 4 is a transverse vertical section taken approximately on the plane of the line 4 4 of Figure 1. L

Figure 5 is a view at rightangles to Figure 4, the section occurring substantiallyon the plane of the line 5-5 of Figure4.

Figure 6 is anenlargedA detail section on the line 6- -6 of Figure 1. n

In practice, the'structure is generally of a portable nature and may, if desired, resemble a table. An essential part thereof `comprises a box-like casing '7 here shown asof .general rectangular form and fitted into the open top of this casing is an insert 8 of tlieV configuration sho-wn in the drawings. The major portion of this insert is recessed and centrally apertured to define a ball raceway for the projectiles or balls 9. This raceway includes an annular confining wall 10 and a substantially horizontal annular'ledge 11 which, as shown in Figures 4 and 5,.is beveled Vto accomplish the desired gravitation 'and settling of the balls. This ledge may be specifically referred to as va runway and it will be noted that at the tapered edge thereof I provide a plurality of radial circumferentially spaced cleats'12 spaced apart sufliciently to form ball receiving pockets 13.` Extending tangentially from a predetermined portion of the ball racewayis aball delivery or feed groove 14 (see Figures v1 and 2) and at the point 15 the groove is so arranged as to provide an inlet or entrance into which the balls are dropped one by one. At this time I call attention to the numeral v16 which designates a spring pressed, that is, automatically returnable, plungervvlocated to project the balls through the groove or channel 14'in a well'known manner. Thenumeral 17 merely designates a glass cover plate of requisite transparency to permit the playing field to beV clearly visualized by the participants, n

As sho-wn in Figures 4 and 5, the numeralsv 18 designate Va ball depository pan or receiver which is attached to and suspendedfrom the ledge'and underlies the superposed opening in said ledge. This pan is formedl with an appropriatelyarranged' gutter 19 in alinement with a ball return trough 20 which leads out Athrough'the front panel 21 of the casing to a ball receiving receptacle 22. I nextcall attention to the numerals'23 which designate circumferentially spacedk fixed posts provided intermediate their ends with stop collars 24 Vand at their upper ends with suitably cushioned heads/250121v which the glass cover rests. These posts. serve as retaining elements and guides for the .conical indicator or target 26. This indicator 26 has two -definite positions, that is, a normal playing or stationary position, Yand an elevated position. When in the playing position it restson the washers or stop collars 24 andA when in elevated position (not shown) it is raised suiciently to clearV the adjacent edge portion of the ledge in order to permit the balls to drop out of the vpockets 13 into the return pan 18.' It will be noted that the thickness of the marginal portion 27 'is such as to permit it to rise above the cleats to form a circular or endless abutment 28 against which the balls strike in an indescribable and indenite 'mannen Obviously, when ,the balls are shot into the playing field or enclosure, they whirl around against the walls 10, the runway 11, hop over the cleats 12 and so on. Sometimes the balls strike this'abutment 28 and not infrequently the balls ride indiscriminately over the conical indicator or target 26. This part 26 is a targetf in the sense that it is equipped with appropriate indicia denoted by the numeral 29 in Figure 2 and the players shoot at these markings 29 in an effort to obtain a high score. The indicia preferably employed correspends to that used on conventional playing cards. ln fact the part 26 is so proportioned and the features 29 so arranged that they permit a complete deck of cards (53) to be exempliiied. Since the target26 has a denite fixed position and the features. 29 are located in a `predetermined manner they are substantially opposite or in alinement with the pockets 131, said pockets be ing unmarked. Obviously, it is easy to calculate the result of the ball shot 'according to the positions thatthc-y occupy in the various-pockets opposite the indicating legends 29.

At this time I call attention to the mechanically manually operated means for bodily vlifting the indicator 26 on the guide posts 23, this being accomplished by using alever 3Q (see Figure 5.) The outer end of' the lever is formed with a suitable hand grip. 31 and extends through a clearance slot 32 into the :interior where it: is pivoted intermediate its ends atV 33 on an adjacent post. The extreme'inner end thereof has pin and slot connection with a thrust or lifting member 34.v f

Manifestly, by Vpushing down on the hand grip 31, the lever 39 is rocked in a manner to lift the' indicator 26 bodily iipaivardlyyr'` to a plane sufciently to clearthe ball runway 11 whereby to let the balls roll from the pockets 13 intothe return pan 18. Obviously, the balls roll from the pan through the trough Zuinto the ball receiving receptacle at 22. Itis apparentthat this isthe only reason why the part 26` is made movable for it is otherwise stationary in the sense that4 it has a deinite position so far as the rela.- tionship. of the indicia 29.` and pockets I3 is concerned. Y

It is probably unimportant, though desirable, to mention that coin controlled means (not shown) may be employed for locking the lever 30, particularly when .the structure is employed places. of public amusement. Y

Y The gist of the invention is in the provision of a. box-like casing or equivalentbody equipped with a filler or insert block 8 fashioned todeine Va ball raceway characterized by the'confnihg wall 10, the inclined annular runway 11, and the elevated abutment surface 28. These features cooperatingr with thecleats 12, and the conical shape of the part 26. providesa ball receptive enclosure requiring unusualskill of performance in order to secure a high or valuable hand when playing.

As before stated, the gaine is playedm such a manner as to permit the participants (two or more) to match theirability in attempting to accomplish results similar to those sought after in playing certain games. of cards, for which reason the card indicia. 29 is chosen for charting or marking the indicator or target 26. In prac.- tice, the players are generally provided with five balls each. In fact, itis intended that the balls beof corresponding colors, for example, five red balLs and five green balls, each player choosing the color that he desires for purposes. of distinction between'the results to be calculated after the play of a complete setof'ten balls is finished.

As before pointed out, the balls roll about seem'- ingly in an aimless and indeterminable manner and gradually come to rest in one of the pockets 13 and by proper co-related computations using the card indicia 29 the value of the respective hands of the players may be determined in order to ascertain the winner. So far as the principle of shooting the ball by ,a spring pressed plunger from a delivery channel is concerned, this is commonrin games of this type..v Likewise it isnot new to employr a playing field having marked obstructions, etc. It is believed, however, that applicants selection and arrangement of the special ball runway, liftable marked target 26 andso'on is specifically new as an appreciable and worthy contribution to the art and trade.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which therinvention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection `with the drawings. Therefore, amore lengthly description is regarded as unnecessary.'"A

, Minor changes in shape, size, and rearrangement of details coming within-.the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired. z

What. is. claimed is:

1. A game apparatus. of thev class described comprising a 'box-like: casing provided with a filler, said ller having a predetermmedi portion thereoi` recessed to provide' an annular peripheral wall and a centrally" apertured horizontally disposed ledge, saidfledge' being of tapered vcross section and provided at its tapered end witlra plurality of radial circumferentially spaced pocket forming cleats, a slidably mounted conical indicating targetlocated in thev aperture defined by said ledge and adapted to. be raised and lowered, said indicator being of such vertical thickness as to project above the plane of the; ledge, the marginal edge portion of said indicator rising above said cleats, and said marginal portion being provided with playing card indicia for the purpose described, means forforcibly shooting the balls intolsaid raceway and means. for raising said conical indicating target.

2. A gameapparatus of the class describedcomprisingI .a casing embodying a portion recessed to define a circular `ball receptive raceway, said raceway including an outer annular perpendicular wall, a horizontal bottom tapered to denne a. gravitation ledge and ball runway, said runway being of annular form, a ball collection and return pan secured to the underside of;said ledge, a plurality of radial circumferential spaced pocket. forming olea-tsl secured tothe. upper face of said ledge around the free edge portion of the ledge, a plurality of fixed guide; posts mounted in said casing, a disk-like conicalindioator slidably mountedon said posts, said indicator having appropriate indicia and being 'of'such vertical thickness. as to providean annular abutment rising above vsaid cleats, and a manually actuated mechanical means.V for lifting the indicator. clear of said cleats to allow Ythe balls to roll from the .pockets into said pan, aball return troughin communication with the pan,iand a ballreceiving receptacle in' communication with, said trough, together with meansfor ejecting vthe balls. into'saidrace.

- HUGH V. ATKINSON.. 

